SPN Rewatch Season 2
Turns out I had a lot of thoughts about season 2...
Season 2
I really want to catch the nuances of character development over the series and there are a lot of key moments in season 2, so there are a lot of notes…Also, season 2 has some of my favorite episodes!
Season 2 General Observations
Keeping John’s final words to Dean secret is the start of the communication breakdown between the boys. Also, knowing those words now makes watching Dean hurt even more.
23. In My Time of Dying (2.01)
Recap is of entire season 1 highlights
Crash happens at night, don’t get rescued till daylight?
Dean is ok with Sam finding some hoodoo to heal him this time
John already has list of stuff to summon YED when Sam comes in to see him
Poor Sam’s laptop
Dean to John, upset that John doesn’t seem to be doing anything to help Dean: ‘I’ve given everything I ever had’-if only Dean knew…
Reaper is whispy floaty thing
Sam is so pissed at John over summoning stuff: ‘Dean is dying and you have a plan’-if only Sam knew…
Floaty reaper is actually on Dean reaping him but he chases it off
Smart Dean figures out who Tessa is
John shading of the truth: ‘I promise I won’t hunt this demon till Dean’s better’
A nurse and a little kid die-Dean can’t chase away their reaper
Dean: ‘You can’t kill Death’ HAHAHA
First time someone cuts palm for blood for spell is John summoning YED
Heartbreaking Sam: ‘We were just starting to be brothers again’
Dean’s reason he can’t go with Tessa: ‘My family is gonna die’
Tessa says Dean will become what he hunts and that argument impacts him-he really looks like he’s going to agree to go
YED to John re Sam: ‘You know the truth’ John: ‘I’ve known for a while’-OH!
John does not react to YED’s taunts-stays focused which makes him seem like he’s in control of situation even if he isn’t (unlike how Dean reacts to being in that kind of situation)
Dean looks so broken when he’s about to answer Tessa
Demon smoke enters mouth
Doctor says Dean had an angel watching over him-lots of foreshadowing in that line (did writers know that?)
Dean does not remember about reaper
John to Dean: ‘I’ve made some mistakes…always done the best I could’-Dean looks like a little boy as John talks
The whisper after the nice speech-Dean’s face
John’s time of death is announced after episode blackout
24. Everybody Loves a Clown (2.02)
Recap starts with ‘Saving people, hunting things’ and then recaps previous episode (good fit for music-a ticking time bomb sound over ending images-looked it up, it is ‘Time Has Come Today’ by Chambers Bros)
Would 7 or 8-yr-old kids be that into clowns?
Burning John’s body-Dean looks so lost-scene hurts even more knowing John’s last words
Sam: ‘Did he say anything to you?’ Dean: ‘No’-first break in the boys’ communication
Dean in denial, shutting down (and dealing with John’s words) while Sam is all about revenge
They lockpick into Roadhouse-that’s not gonna go over well
Man, the trauma of the kids in this episode-letting the clown in and then watching it slaughter their parents-yikes
Dean throws Sam under the bus in front of people several times
Carnival owner tells them to go to school-Sam says he doesn’t want to-Dean questions him after, did he mean that? Sam says him hunting would be what Dad wants-Dean: ‘Since when?’-Sam: ‘Since he died’
Funhouse set is trippy
Dean: ‘Now he’s dead you want to make it right’
Ellen gives them the info about rakhasha
They work the case together seamlessly once they get clues
Smart Sam figures out to use brass organ pipe
Smart Dean figures out to use steam to see invisible monster
Dean turns down Jo’s come-on
Ellen offers them a place to stay
Sam is sorry about last fight with Dad-Dad died thinking Sam hated him
Knowing Dean’s secret makes smashing the car scene have more layers than just grief
25. Bloodlust (2.03)
Recap-talking about dealing with Dad’s death, smashing car
‘Back in Black’ for Impala montage-first time Dean calls her Baby
Sam: ‘Give you a couple of severed heads and a pile of dead cows and you’re Mr. Sunshine’
Suits from ‘Something Wicked’
Use doctor get-ups for getting into morgue
Dean’s ID says ‘J. Manners’
They are wussy about examining the bodies
Very smart boys outfox Gordon to get the drop on him
Gordon met John once, knows about boys-reference that boys are out of the hunter network loop
Gordon is very charming
Bird jump scare like in the pilot
Dean’s face very shadowed as he kills vamp with saw
Sam: ‘He’s the only one who gets to call me that (Sammy)’-Gordon: ‘Ok, no harm meant’
Nice toss of keys from Dean to Sam
Dean talks about 1st werewolf hunt at 16 using silver crossbow
Dean to Gordon about John’s death: ‘He’s indestructible…can’t talk about this to Sammy, gotta keep my game face on’
Gordon to Dean that the dark hole inside him makes Dean a better hunter-‘you and me were born to do this’
Sam gets knocked out with telephone (stunt where Jared broke his wrist)
Lenore: ‘Our kind is practically extinct’ (Vamps really made a comeback though)
Sam and Dean’s argument about everything they hunt being evil vs shades of gray-this argument foreshadows Sam’s issue
When Sam says Dean is using Gordon as a substitute for Dad Dean punches him
Sam to Dean: ‘You owe me the benefit of the doubt’
Dean has to hotwire Baby
Smart Sam knows where the farm is even though blindfolded going there
Lenore: ‘If we can change, they (hunters) can change’
Gordon makes big mistake threatening Sam
Dean’s face when Gordon reveals he killed his sister because she was turned
Gordon doesn’t fight fair
Gordon: ‘You’re a killer like me’
Dean tells Sam to punch him as payback
Start of Dean’s existential crisis: ‘What if we killed things that didn’t need killing?’
Dean: ‘When I killed that vampire at the mill I didn't even think about it; hell, I even enjoyed it…I was gonna kill them all’-Sam: ‘But you didn’t’
Iconic shot of Dean over Impala with sunflare around his head
(From Supernatural Wiki-Mackenzie Ackles played the sheriff’s assistant)
26. Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (2.04)
Note-Don’t cry and talk on cell and drive
Sam wants to visit Mary’s grave, Dean doesn’t but won’t let Sam go alone
Dean stares at a grave that reads ‘loving father’-sad
Introduce themselves as Sam and Dean
Everything Angie’s dad says triggers Dean: ‘Sometimes it’s like they’re still around’-Dean turns it into signs of the guy’s guilt
Sam really discounting Dean’s instinct that there’s a case: ‘You’re imagining a hunt where there isn’t one so you don’t have to think about Mom or Dad’
Nice segueway from no body in casket to Angie’s friend Neil
Dean wrongfully accusing Angie’s dad: ‘There are people I’d give anything to see again…What’s dead should stay dead’-first time for that iconic line and it is said twice more in the episode
Sam tells Dean he is afraid of how Dean is spiraling, afraid of losing Dean too-Dean pushes back but finally says ‘I’m being an ass, I’m sorry…but right now we’ve got a friggin’ zombie running around…’-After that Dean gets his head back in the game
Sam’s line ‘I think she broke my wrist’ to allow for Jared’s cast in next several episodes
Leaving cemetery Dean looks at Mary’s headstone
Dean pulls over to the opposite side of the road-bad driving! (And he does that a lot more)
Dean: ‘I’m sorry…for the way I’ve been acting…it’s my fault he’s (Dad) gone… Back at the hospital, I made a full recovery. It was a miracle. And five minutes later Dad's dead and the Colt's gone…Dad’s dead because of me…I never should have come back…I should have stayed dead (Dean is crying)…You wanted to know how I was feeling. Well, that’s it…What could you possibly say to make that all right?’
(And we still don’t know what John told Dean…)
27. Simon Said (2.05)
Recap-Sam’s visions, John’s whisper, Sam angsting about his visions
Opens with vision, they go to Roadhouse for Ash’s help to find location
Sam wants to go to Roadhouse for info-Dean: I don't know if going in and announcing that you're some supernatural freak with a demonic connection is the best thing, okay?’-Sam latches on to ‘freak’ and Dean tries to backtrack: ‘You’ve always been a freak’
Sam has cast
Dean sings REO Speedwagon in car after dissing song to Jo
Sam figures out his visions are about other special kids
Nice visual from headlights to inside of coffee cup
New suits, still nothing special
Sam voices his worry that he might be a killer
Andy’s takeover of the Impala LOL
Sam’s face when he sees Andy driving the Impala
Sam devastated when he can’t save guy from his vision
Sam pissed that Dean isn’t ready to jump on Andy as the killer (reverse of previous ep when Sam didn’t believe Dean about there being a case-Dean right both times)
Dean’s verbal vomit to Andy including being scared that Sam might turn into a killer-ouch
When Sam wants to know why Andy isn’t using his mind control for bigger things-Andy: ‘I have everything I need’-Andy is such a cool character, sad about what happens to him…
Sam’s vision really painful
Sam’s argument that under the right circumstances everyone’s able to be a killer…
Ellen makes them tell about Sam
Dean: ‘Who knows how many of them (special kids) are out there?
28. No Exit (2.06)
Recap of Jo and Ellen with boys
First time ectoplasm-Dean says it comes from ‘majorly pissed off spirit’
Dean extra snarky/obnoxious
Dean lectures Jo on not going into life-she has options
Dean just happens to have a screwdriver in his jacket…
First thing Dean remembers about Dad-being 6 or 7, shooting bottles first time and bulls-eying all of them and John smiled
Jo has all the details on the case, did her research
First time we see Sam’s serial killer knowledge
When boys rescue Jo smart Dean already had the plan to seal Holmes in with salt lines
Dean knows how to operate concrete mixer
Reveal that John let Bill Harvelle get killed
29. The Usual Suspects (2.07)
Recap-boys using fake IDs, shapeshifter
Opens with Dean in lock-up and SWAT team getting Sam
Lady cop to Sam, if he spills on Dean: ‘You can get on with your life’
As Sam spins story we see what actually happened
Boys wearing their black suits in flashback
Sam cracking computer passwords (leveling up a skill there?)
Sam’s story matches Dean’s to last detail-I remember this is originally where I fell in love with how competently in sync they were!
Each of them working the problem doing exact same thing
Dean tells the truth (that no one believes) about what he really does to give Sam escape time
Awesome Sam escape even though we don’t see it
In order to save lady cop’s life Dean is willing to trust her with Sam’s location-saving people trumps saving themselves
I loved this episode the first time and even on rewatch I was gripped by how perfectly they knew what the other was going to do/say
30. Crossroad Blues (2.08)
Recap on circumstances around John’s deal
Suits again
Verbal note about Dean’s horndog status as he talks about getting phone number from receptionist
Distorted faces when hellhounds near
Smart Dean recognizes yarrow flowers at crossroad
First encounter with hellhounds
Only victim can hear hellhounds
Dean feels victims deserve what they get
Goofer dust introduced
The artist accepts responsibility for what is coming for him-Sam: ‘You don’t really want to die’-Artist: ‘I’m tired’-that line affects Dean
Dean goes to kick in door, Sam stops him and turns handle
When Dean finds out Evan’s deal was to save his wife he goes ballistic about how will she feel knowing what Evan did- transference of feelings much?
Sam finally says what they’ve both been thinking, that John made a deal for Dean’s life (hinted at in ‘Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things’ but not explicitly stated)
Crossroad demon confirms it: ‘Sacrifice your life for someone else’s-like father, like son’
Very smart Dean setting up trap for demon
Real drama about whether Dean is going to make deal to get John back or save Evan-conflict so clear on his face!
Demon’s taunt about if Dean knew where his dad was after deal made for Evan
Dean when Sam says John made deal for Dean: ‘How am I supposed to live with that?...he spent his whole life chasing that... yellow-eyed son of a bitch. He should have gone out fighting. That was supposed to be his legacy. You know? Not bargaining with the damn thing. Not this.’
When Sam asks for confirmation Dean wasn’t really thinking of making a deal for Dad, Dean doesn’t answer
Watching Dean in this episode hurts
31. Croatoan (2.09)
This episode is intense even knowing how it plays out!
Recap on Sam’s fears and Dean being out of control
Discussing Dean killing man in vision: ‘I’m sure I had good reason’-Sam: ‘I hope so’-Dean What does that mean?’
Completely fake names as US marshals
Croatoan on post before they start working case
No cell signal, payphone not working…
Dean smoothly gets Sarge’s confidence
Dean to Sarge: ‘You have a neighbor named Mr. Rogers?’-Marine: ‘Not anymore’
Dad’s journal says ‘Croatan’ is name of plague demon
Dean confirms with Sam the mom is ‘one of ‘em’ and then shoots her in cold blood. Wow
Boys know how to make explosives
Argue over killing Dwayne-Sam: ‘We’re supposed to struggle with this’-Dean is all set to do it, then doesn’t-when Sam asks why he didn’t Dean doesn’t answer (They could have just waited the 3 hrs to see if he turned like the others…)
The scene where Sam is infected and Dean won’t let Sarge kill him is so hard to watch-one of most heartrending scenes of show
Sam: ‘You can keep going’-Dean: ‘Who says I want to?’
When doctor comes back to tell them everyone has vanished they let Sam come out with them even though he is still presumed infected
Doctor says it’s been 5 hours and Sam is still clear
Poor Sarge, not fair he gets killed at end
After it’s over Sam presses Dean for what he meant about being tired of the job-Dean deflects, then asks why they have to be responsible for everything…wants to go to the Grand Canyon…finally says ‘He (Dad) told me something about you’ and then episode ends!
This is followed by a ‘Soon’ promo with scenes from next couple episodes
32. Hunted (2.10)
Gordon, a human, is actually the only ‘monster’ in this episode!
Special kid Scott is resisting YED orders
Boys’ scene starts at exact end of previous-Dad told me something…
Dean: ‘He said I might have to kill you, Sammy’
Sam takes this very badly
Dean begs for time to think
Scene cuts from Sam sneaking out of motel at night to Sam being blown up-it’s a vision but we don’t know that
Sam goes to Roadhouse-Jo is gone-Ellen says she forgave John and doesn’t hold it against the boys, but John never forgave himself
Ash finds 4 people that fit the special kids profile and that Scott was kiledl a month ago
Sam tells Ellen he is trying to find answers about who he is and Dean can’t protect him from that
Ellen tells Dean where Sam is-“They say you can’t protect your family forever…well I say screw that’
Sam has Ava talk to Scott’s shrink while he goes in through another window to get files-why not just break in the office at night?
Sam tells Ava they are going to be soldiers in a war
Smart Sam can tell type of weapon from bullets (and freaks Ava out)
After assassination attempt Sam calls Dean
Dean uses Funkytown which Sam says means someone has a gun on him
Gordon: ‘I’m a hunter and your brother’s fair game’
Gordon says the right tools can make demons talk-sadly the boys get around to that technique later
Gordon’s analogy that Sam is like baby Hitler, should be put down before causing evil-‘John would have the stones to do it’
When explosion goes off Dean screams son of a bitch through the gag
Sam calls the cops on Gordon before he unties Dean apparently, but it’s still a close call getting away
Dean says screw the job, he doesn’t believe in destiny-Sam: I ran all the way to California…you can’t protect me’-Dean: ‘I can try’-Sam: ‘Thanks for that’
Bitch/jerk exchange
33. Playthings (2.11)
Recap about Ava
Dollhouse set-wow!
Guy whose head is 180 degrees is still moving his mouth-ew!
They’ve been looking for Ava for a month-Sam finds case, not giving up on her but he’s ‘got to save as many people as he can’-fear of turning evil is really weighing on him and he doesn’t trust Dean to prevent it
Dean arriving at hotel says maybe they’ll run into Fred and Daphne inside
Mistaken for couple again-Dean: ‘Why do people assume we’re gay?’
‘What the…’-audience knows next word LOL
Dean throws Sam under bus with story of his doll collection but Sam goes with it for sake of the case, giving Dean dirty look
Sam gets drunk when guy dies in hotel because he couldn’t save him
Sam: ‘The more people I save, the more I can change…my destiny’
When Sam insists Dean has to follow Dad’s orders to kill him: ‘Dad’s an ass…you don’t lay that kind of crap on your kids’-first verbal acknowledgement that Dean is starting to think his dad wasn’t all-perfect
We see quincunx in photo and then flash to quincunx in vases-audience memory that short?
Why would they put sick grandma on the third floor all alone???
That is really tough glass on the pool building doors…
Slow motion when Sam jumps into pool, gets Tyler very dramatically effective
Dean upset Sam remembers he promised to kill Sam
Episode ends with ‘happy’ scene of grandma’s young ghost playing with sister-odd
Noticing that Dean is being written cruder to outsiders and picking on Sam more
34. Nightshifter (2.12)
Recap-shapeshifter, then immediate cut to news broadcast about bank scene, Dean releasing hostage
One day ago-Dean hitting on clerk, she flirts back
Say ‘freaking cops’ in sync
Dean admires Ronald’s chutzpah right away, Sam finds him over-the-top and doesn’t like how close he is to truth
Sam says Ronald needs to stay in the dark and stay alive
Wear security company uniforms into bank
Dean zooms camera on woman’s rear in writer’s continuing efforts to make him sleazy
Daylight when Ronald comes into bank, suddenly it’s dark?
Dean improvises, simultaneously freaking out and staying calm-give him a moment to think
Slow motion camera work again
Ronald tells cop on phone he’s working alone, so when sniper shoots him why don’t the cops storm building assuming it’s over? Who authorized that sniper anyway? Cop in charge seemed willing to negotiate
Henrickson comes in halfway through episode
His first words make you think he might be there to help them: ‘There is a monster in that bank’
They put people in vault and spin lock, then open it and close it repeatedly-how do they know the combination? I don’t think bank vaults work like that…
Shapeshifter’s ploy to be dead double of girl doesn’t make sense…
Episode gets really tense when SWAT team enters bank!
Super Sam takes out 2 SWAT team guys (we don’t see how, but go Sam!)
I remember my reaction to this the first time was how screwed they were…
35. Houses of the Holy (2.13)
There is no THEN
Dean with the magic fingers…
Dean files angels under ‘bullcrap’-we know what word he really used…
Sam suggests they ditch the car which goes over well
They have gotten a radio that picks up cop reports
When Sam tries to open window with knife-this is scene on gag reel
Sam desperately wants to be ‘saved’
Smart Sam figures out computer passwords again
First reference to Archangel Michael-in painting, priest says angels are warriors
Sam says he prays every day
Dean: ‘Mom had faith…said angels were watching over us’-not true, it’s just chaos and violence
Séance ritual is in Dad’s journal
Dean needs to protect Sam from killing bad guy
Ghost: ‘Some people need redemption, don’t they, Sam’ ouch
The priest talks the spirit down
First time we see Dean pull flask from his pocket to take a drink-happens twice
Sam wanted to believe he could escape his destiny-Dean says he will protect him-Sam: ‘You’re just one person, Dean’
‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’ on soundtrack fits nicely
Dean is really shook up by the way the bad guy died
36. Born Under a Bad Sign (2.13)
Recap-Meg, Sam’s powers, Sam going darkside worries
Lots of fast cuts at start
Watching this episode knowing Sam is possessed makes it a very different experience-looking for clues instead of freaking about Sam maybe turning dark
Sam about bloody knife: ‘You think I used this on someone’-Dean: ‘I’m not thinking anything’
Dean: ‘…smoking, throwing bottles sounds more like me than you’-So did Dean ever smoke?
Dean assumes the man Sam killed had to be a bad guy-he is desperately looking for justification for Sam’s actions
When Dean sees Sam do the murder on the video he doesn’t know how to react-then jumps into protect Sam no matter what mode and starts clean-up
Dean: ‘It wasn’t you’
When Sam tries to get Dean to kill him Dean won’t do it
Dean tracks Sam by getting cellphone company to turn on Sam’s GPS
Ellen may have forgiven John and boys, Jo hasn’t
Jo notices mark on Sam’s arm
Tied-up Jo says ‘You’re not Sam’
Sam explains John and Bill Harvelle went to Devil’s Gate Reservoir in California, Bill was bait, John moved too soon, Bill was holding his guts in his hands and John killed him for mercy-‘My daddy shot your daddy in the head’
Dean throws holy water when Sam threatens Jo and begs to be killed-‘just knew it couldn’t be him’
Smart Bobby has Sam drink holy water
First time we hear Exorcisamus te exorcism (from Bobby)
Meg: ‘I don’t give a rat’s ass about the master plan’
Meg has a counter-exorcism to break loose
Bobby warns them about hunters looking for Wandell’s killer without actually confirming Sam did it
Dean desperately trying to pull Sam out of his funk by joking that Sam had a girl inside him
37. Tall Tales (2.15)
Recap-prank wars
Baby Richard Speight!
Boys bickering, flashbacks when explaining to Bobby
Purple nurples
They are wearing some kind of uniform jackets
Sam references Dean watching Busty Asian Beauties website
Bobby: ‘You’re exaggerating again?’-In sync: ‘No’
Dean points out all the victims are dicks
Smart Sam can identify alligator scales?
Sam has silver money clip with his initials-wonder if someone gave him that?
Boys are figuring out about Trickster, then audience shown that they are right
Fake argument in front of Trickster
Sam tosses stake to Dean for the kill
Sam apologizes for being a jerk
Tag shows Trickster is still alive
One of my least favorite episodes because of how caricatured the boys are written
There is no reference at all to the angst from previous episodes
38. Roadkill (2.16)
Recap-Bobby warns about storm coming; montage of monsters; Lenore argument
Another episode where knowing the punchline affects watching it the second time
Molly’s perspective until she stops boys on road
Molly questions if boys are like Ghostbusters-Dean: ‘Minus the jumpsuits’
Reading Greeley’s letters Molly questions how a guy like that can turn into a monster
Sam explains how spirits get trapped
Why did Sam insist they had to bury to old woman’s body???
Discussion about telling Molly about her husband is clever misdirect
Knowing Molly is a ghost in retrospect you see they never actually touch her…but she is one very corporal ghost otherwise
Flashback reveal tells the truth
Sam is the ghost whisperer
Nothing in the episode showing the angst from Sam’s possession
39. Heart (2.17)
No THEN/NOW
Woman’s harrowing walk to car-nothing happens
Slow motion effect of discovering body
Haven’t seen werewolf since they were kids (obviously didn’t get that human half doesn’t know what wolf half is doing)
Werewolf attacks happen in week leading up to full moon
Sam: ‘Check the freezer, maybe there’s some human hearts behind the Hagen-Dazs’ LOL
First ‘rock/paper/scissors’-to see who gets to stay with Madison-‘Always with the paper, Dean’
Dean really obnoxious about pushing Sam to make a move on Madison
Good explanation of why intelligent woman like Madison stayed with Kurt
Madison is so awesome
Dean horn-dogging it up at strip bar
Total misdirect about monster until Dean sees Madison over Kurt’s body-we get another ‘what the…’-fill in the blank
Madison is so believably freaked out at accusation
Dean is all for killing her: ‘Sam, she’s a monster, and you’re feeling sorry for her?’-Sam: Maybe I understand her.’
Use Dad’s theory about killing the progenitor
Both stay awake with Madison all night and decide she’s cured
Sam and Madison scene…
Sam wakes up alone-explanation that maybe she has to be asleep to turn
Sam: ‘Me you won’t kill but her you’re just gonna blow away?’
Madison to Sam: ‘This is the way you can save me’-excruciating parallel to Sam’s pleas to Dean…
Scene where Madison asks Sam to kill her and when Dean and Sam talk it over hurts to watch
The hurt shared by the 2 of them, especially Dean’s for Sam having to do it-his flinch at sound of bullet
40. Hollywood Babylon (2.18)
No recap
Gilmore Girls joke
Sam: ‘The weather (in California) is practically Canadian’ LOL
Dean knows his movie stuff
Dean pigging out on food again
Dean is uncharacteristically shy meeting Tara Benchley
Movie Buff Dean knows all the actor’s bit parts
So many funny lines!
Dean is collecting clues while rocking the PA job
Mid-episode we get movie preview for ‘Hellrazers 2’ which includes reference to a ‘Monster Truck’ movie with a clip of the truck from ‘Route 666’
Sam asks how Walter know about Enochian summoning ritual
Sam uses his cell phone to find the ghosts, then he and Dean just watch as ghosts kill Walter instead of trying to stop them which felt off
Loved all the in-jokes in this episode
41. Folsom Prison Blue (2.19)
Recap-Henrickson, Dean’s crimes
‘3 months later’ after murder in teaser
Nice shot of cell doors shutting in opposite directions
Deacon saved Dad’s life in the Corps, Dean feels obligation to help him
More joking about Dean liking the prison food
Their lawyer cites conflicting reports (in a positive way) from cop in Baltimore and witness in Milwaukee
Inmate asks Sam: ‘Why are you inside?’ Sam: ‘I have an idiot for a brother’
Dean makes more movie references
Dean pulls out all his sincerity to get lawyer to find ghost info
Henrickson is a jerk to lawyer
Remember watching originally and being tied in knots as Henrickson’s men reach the cemetery-ghost almost getting Deacon adds to viewer stress
Knowing they make it mutes the tension but still a favorite episode
42. What is and what Should Never Be (2.20)
Recap-Saving people, hunting things-people they save, Jess
Baby has new license plate CNK 80Q3
When Dean has no idea what’s going on he instinctively plays along with Carmen
Dean’s test question for Mom-what did she say when putting him to bed? Mom: ‘Angels were watching over you’
Dean is so out of his element at getting a normal life
He looks like a lost little boy when interacting with his mom
Sees college professor to get djinn info-working the case while absorbing this life
Dean upon no weapons in Baby’s trunk: ‘We’re civilians!’…and then he sees girl
Sam accuses Dean of hooking up with Rachel Nave, Sam’s prom date-Dean: ‘It does sound like me’
This life isn’t perfect because of distance between him and Sam-but he says he can fix things with Sam
Thundercats on TV
John’s grave scene when Dean sees that the people they saved weren’t saved here: ‘Why is it my job?...Why do we have to sacrifice everything, Dad?’ Oh my heart…
Duplicate of pilot scene with Sam and Jess in bed and then abbreviated fight with duplicate visual of Dean on top of Sam, then profiles in the darkness-‘What are you doing here?’ ‘I was looking for a beer’
Dean spins story that he knows is in keeping with this Sam’s perception of him-owing a bookie
Dean: ‘I wish to hell I could stay and fix it (him and Sam)’
Sam joins him even though he thinks Dean has lost it: ‘You’re still my brother’
Dean says ‘Bitch’ and Sam is confused instead of answering ‘jerk’
Baby’s license plate in djinn world is RMD 5H2
Dean is not wearing the amulet in this world
Mom shows up in pilot nightgown at the warehouse
Dean’s face is so sad: ‘You’re not real’
Mom puts her hand on Dean’s cheek and he leans into it
Close-up of djinn Sam transitions to real Sam
Dean never allowed himself to dream of a normal life-getting it and losing it guts him
The only small consolation is Dean saved the girl
Dean is so shook up he tells Sam about the fantasy world instead of keeping it a secret like he normally would
Sam: ‘Most people wouldn’t have had your strength, would’ve just stayed’-Dean: ‘Lucky me’
In commentary Kripke said he wanted to show without hunting Dean had no purpose
43. All Hell Breaks Loose Part 1 (2.21)
Road so Far shows special kids (music: ‘Foreplay/Long Time’ by Boston)
Crap, Dean is wearing the red plaid shirt of angst…
First time we get Dean yelling ‘Sam’ in panic
Sam is natural leader
Ash calls Dean to come to Roadhouse for major info-when he and Bobby get there it is burned down
Jake is a good guy
Altered perception of Ava knowing she is the bad guy-she is very convincing!
YED mentions other generations of special kids have been created
YED to Sam: ‘It’s always been about you’
Sam realizes Mom knew the YED
Sam puts down his knife in show of faith to Jake-Jake uses it in a couple minutes to kill him
Awesome fight between Sam and Jake
Don’t turn your back Sammy!!!
Nooo!
44. All Hell Breaks Loose Part 2 (2.22)
Road so Far with ‘Carry On’ includes crossroads
Bobby suggests burying Sam, not burning him-odd
Bobby tries to get Dean back in the game-Dean: ‘Let it (the world) end!’
Jake initially resists YED until his family is threatened
Dean: ‘I had one job and I blew it’-oh Dean…
Would like to punch the smug crossroads demon in the face…
First boys’ hug
Sam doesn’t tell Dean about having demon blood dripped in his mouth-start of another secret
Dean’s life wouldn’t mean anything without Sam
Dean sees his deal as restoring what should have happened-he should have died in the car accident
Jake has gone all-in with YED bribes
YED: ‘Are you sure what you brought back is 100% Sam?’-start of new round of Dean angst
Sam: ‘Did you sell your soul for me like Dad did for you?’-Dean: ‘Oh come on, no’-Sam: ‘Tell me the truth…’-Dean: ‘Sam…’-Sam: ‘How long did you get?’
End scene mirrors end of pilot-boys throwing weapons into trunk: ‘We got work to do’
Season 2
I really want to catch the nuances of character development over the series and there are a lot of key moments in season 2, so there are a lot of notes…Also, season 2 has some of my favorite episodes!
Season 2 General Observations
Keeping John’s final words to Dean secret is the start of the communication breakdown between the boys. Also, knowing those words now makes watching Dean hurt even more.
23. In My Time of Dying (2.01)
Recap is of entire season 1 highlights
Crash happens at night, don’t get rescued till daylight?
Dean is ok with Sam finding some hoodoo to heal him this time
John already has list of stuff to summon YED when Sam comes in to see him
Poor Sam’s laptop
Dean to John, upset that John doesn’t seem to be doing anything to help Dean: ‘I’ve given everything I ever had’-if only Dean knew…
Reaper is whispy floaty thing
Sam is so pissed at John over summoning stuff: ‘Dean is dying and you have a plan’-if only Sam knew…
Floaty reaper is actually on Dean reaping him but he chases it off
Smart Dean figures out who Tessa is
John shading of the truth: ‘I promise I won’t hunt this demon till Dean’s better’
A nurse and a little kid die-Dean can’t chase away their reaper
Dean: ‘You can’t kill Death’ HAHAHA
First time someone cuts palm for blood for spell is John summoning YED
Heartbreaking Sam: ‘We were just starting to be brothers again’
Dean’s reason he can’t go with Tessa: ‘My family is gonna die’
Tessa says Dean will become what he hunts and that argument impacts him-he really looks like he’s going to agree to go
YED to John re Sam: ‘You know the truth’ John: ‘I’ve known for a while’-OH!
John does not react to YED’s taunts-stays focused which makes him seem like he’s in control of situation even if he isn’t (unlike how Dean reacts to being in that kind of situation)
Dean looks so broken when he’s about to answer Tessa
Demon smoke enters mouth
Doctor says Dean had an angel watching over him-lots of foreshadowing in that line (did writers know that?)
Dean does not remember about reaper
John to Dean: ‘I’ve made some mistakes…always done the best I could’-Dean looks like a little boy as John talks
The whisper after the nice speech-Dean’s face
John’s time of death is announced after episode blackout
24. Everybody Loves a Clown (2.02)
Recap starts with ‘Saving people, hunting things’ and then recaps previous episode (good fit for music-a ticking time bomb sound over ending images-looked it up, it is ‘Time Has Come Today’ by Chambers Bros)
Would 7 or 8-yr-old kids be that into clowns?
Burning John’s body-Dean looks so lost-scene hurts even more knowing John’s last words
Sam: ‘Did he say anything to you?’ Dean: ‘No’-first break in the boys’ communication
Dean in denial, shutting down (and dealing with John’s words) while Sam is all about revenge
They lockpick into Roadhouse-that’s not gonna go over well
Man, the trauma of the kids in this episode-letting the clown in and then watching it slaughter their parents-yikes
Dean throws Sam under the bus in front of people several times
Carnival owner tells them to go to school-Sam says he doesn’t want to-Dean questions him after, did he mean that? Sam says him hunting would be what Dad wants-Dean: ‘Since when?’-Sam: ‘Since he died’
Funhouse set is trippy
Dean: ‘Now he’s dead you want to make it right’
Ellen gives them the info about rakhasha
They work the case together seamlessly once they get clues
Smart Sam figures out to use brass organ pipe
Smart Dean figures out to use steam to see invisible monster
Dean turns down Jo’s come-on
Ellen offers them a place to stay
Sam is sorry about last fight with Dad-Dad died thinking Sam hated him
Knowing Dean’s secret makes smashing the car scene have more layers than just grief
25. Bloodlust (2.03)
Recap-talking about dealing with Dad’s death, smashing car
‘Back in Black’ for Impala montage-first time Dean calls her Baby
Sam: ‘Give you a couple of severed heads and a pile of dead cows and you’re Mr. Sunshine’
Suits from ‘Something Wicked’
Use doctor get-ups for getting into morgue
Dean’s ID says ‘J. Manners’
They are wussy about examining the bodies
Very smart boys outfox Gordon to get the drop on him
Gordon met John once, knows about boys-reference that boys are out of the hunter network loop
Gordon is very charming
Bird jump scare like in the pilot
Dean’s face very shadowed as he kills vamp with saw
Sam: ‘He’s the only one who gets to call me that (Sammy)’-Gordon: ‘Ok, no harm meant’
Nice toss of keys from Dean to Sam
Dean talks about 1st werewolf hunt at 16 using silver crossbow
Dean to Gordon about John’s death: ‘He’s indestructible…can’t talk about this to Sammy, gotta keep my game face on’
Gordon to Dean that the dark hole inside him makes Dean a better hunter-‘you and me were born to do this’
Sam gets knocked out with telephone (stunt where Jared broke his wrist)
Lenore: ‘Our kind is practically extinct’ (Vamps really made a comeback though)
Sam and Dean’s argument about everything they hunt being evil vs shades of gray-this argument foreshadows Sam’s issue
When Sam says Dean is using Gordon as a substitute for Dad Dean punches him
Sam to Dean: ‘You owe me the benefit of the doubt’
Dean has to hotwire Baby
Smart Sam knows where the farm is even though blindfolded going there
Lenore: ‘If we can change, they (hunters) can change’
Gordon makes big mistake threatening Sam
Dean’s face when Gordon reveals he killed his sister because she was turned
Gordon doesn’t fight fair
Gordon: ‘You’re a killer like me’
Dean tells Sam to punch him as payback
Start of Dean’s existential crisis: ‘What if we killed things that didn’t need killing?’
Dean: ‘When I killed that vampire at the mill I didn't even think about it; hell, I even enjoyed it…I was gonna kill them all’-Sam: ‘But you didn’t’
Iconic shot of Dean over Impala with sunflare around his head
(From Supernatural Wiki-Mackenzie Ackles played the sheriff’s assistant)
26. Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things (2.04)
Note-Don’t cry and talk on cell and drive
Sam wants to visit Mary’s grave, Dean doesn’t but won’t let Sam go alone
Dean stares at a grave that reads ‘loving father’-sad
Introduce themselves as Sam and Dean
Everything Angie’s dad says triggers Dean: ‘Sometimes it’s like they’re still around’-Dean turns it into signs of the guy’s guilt
Sam really discounting Dean’s instinct that there’s a case: ‘You’re imagining a hunt where there isn’t one so you don’t have to think about Mom or Dad’
Nice segueway from no body in casket to Angie’s friend Neil
Dean wrongfully accusing Angie’s dad: ‘There are people I’d give anything to see again…What’s dead should stay dead’-first time for that iconic line and it is said twice more in the episode
Sam tells Dean he is afraid of how Dean is spiraling, afraid of losing Dean too-Dean pushes back but finally says ‘I’m being an ass, I’m sorry…but right now we’ve got a friggin’ zombie running around…’-After that Dean gets his head back in the game
Sam’s line ‘I think she broke my wrist’ to allow for Jared’s cast in next several episodes
Leaving cemetery Dean looks at Mary’s headstone
Dean pulls over to the opposite side of the road-bad driving! (And he does that a lot more)
Dean: ‘I’m sorry…for the way I’ve been acting…it’s my fault he’s (Dad) gone… Back at the hospital, I made a full recovery. It was a miracle. And five minutes later Dad's dead and the Colt's gone…Dad’s dead because of me…I never should have come back…I should have stayed dead (Dean is crying)…You wanted to know how I was feeling. Well, that’s it…What could you possibly say to make that all right?’
(And we still don’t know what John told Dean…)
27. Simon Said (2.05)
Recap-Sam’s visions, John’s whisper, Sam angsting about his visions
Opens with vision, they go to Roadhouse for Ash’s help to find location
Sam wants to go to Roadhouse for info-Dean: I don't know if going in and announcing that you're some supernatural freak with a demonic connection is the best thing, okay?’-Sam latches on to ‘freak’ and Dean tries to backtrack: ‘You’ve always been a freak’
Sam has cast
Dean sings REO Speedwagon in car after dissing song to Jo
Sam figures out his visions are about other special kids
Nice visual from headlights to inside of coffee cup
New suits, still nothing special
Sam voices his worry that he might be a killer
Andy’s takeover of the Impala LOL
Sam’s face when he sees Andy driving the Impala
Sam devastated when he can’t save guy from his vision
Sam pissed that Dean isn’t ready to jump on Andy as the killer (reverse of previous ep when Sam didn’t believe Dean about there being a case-Dean right both times)
Dean’s verbal vomit to Andy including being scared that Sam might turn into a killer-ouch
When Sam wants to know why Andy isn’t using his mind control for bigger things-Andy: ‘I have everything I need’-Andy is such a cool character, sad about what happens to him…
Sam’s vision really painful
Sam’s argument that under the right circumstances everyone’s able to be a killer…
Ellen makes them tell about Sam
Dean: ‘Who knows how many of them (special kids) are out there?
28. No Exit (2.06)
Recap of Jo and Ellen with boys
First time ectoplasm-Dean says it comes from ‘majorly pissed off spirit’
Dean extra snarky/obnoxious
Dean lectures Jo on not going into life-she has options
Dean just happens to have a screwdriver in his jacket…
First thing Dean remembers about Dad-being 6 or 7, shooting bottles first time and bulls-eying all of them and John smiled
Jo has all the details on the case, did her research
First time we see Sam’s serial killer knowledge
When boys rescue Jo smart Dean already had the plan to seal Holmes in with salt lines
Dean knows how to operate concrete mixer
Reveal that John let Bill Harvelle get killed
29. The Usual Suspects (2.07)
Recap-boys using fake IDs, shapeshifter
Opens with Dean in lock-up and SWAT team getting Sam
Lady cop to Sam, if he spills on Dean: ‘You can get on with your life’
As Sam spins story we see what actually happened
Boys wearing their black suits in flashback
Sam cracking computer passwords (leveling up a skill there?)
Sam’s story matches Dean’s to last detail-I remember this is originally where I fell in love with how competently in sync they were!
Each of them working the problem doing exact same thing
Dean tells the truth (that no one believes) about what he really does to give Sam escape time
Awesome Sam escape even though we don’t see it
In order to save lady cop’s life Dean is willing to trust her with Sam’s location-saving people trumps saving themselves
I loved this episode the first time and even on rewatch I was gripped by how perfectly they knew what the other was going to do/say
30. Crossroad Blues (2.08)
Recap on circumstances around John’s deal
Suits again
Verbal note about Dean’s horndog status as he talks about getting phone number from receptionist
Distorted faces when hellhounds near
Smart Dean recognizes yarrow flowers at crossroad
First encounter with hellhounds
Only victim can hear hellhounds
Dean feels victims deserve what they get
Goofer dust introduced
The artist accepts responsibility for what is coming for him-Sam: ‘You don’t really want to die’-Artist: ‘I’m tired’-that line affects Dean
Dean goes to kick in door, Sam stops him and turns handle
When Dean finds out Evan’s deal was to save his wife he goes ballistic about how will she feel knowing what Evan did- transference of feelings much?
Sam finally says what they’ve both been thinking, that John made a deal for Dean’s life (hinted at in ‘Children Shouldn’t Play with Dead Things’ but not explicitly stated)
Crossroad demon confirms it: ‘Sacrifice your life for someone else’s-like father, like son’
Very smart Dean setting up trap for demon
Real drama about whether Dean is going to make deal to get John back or save Evan-conflict so clear on his face!
Demon’s taunt about if Dean knew where his dad was after deal made for Evan
Dean when Sam says John made deal for Dean: ‘How am I supposed to live with that?...he spent his whole life chasing that... yellow-eyed son of a bitch. He should have gone out fighting. That was supposed to be his legacy. You know? Not bargaining with the damn thing. Not this.’
When Sam asks for confirmation Dean wasn’t really thinking of making a deal for Dad, Dean doesn’t answer
Watching Dean in this episode hurts
31. Croatoan (2.09)
This episode is intense even knowing how it plays out!
Recap on Sam’s fears and Dean being out of control
Discussing Dean killing man in vision: ‘I’m sure I had good reason’-Sam: ‘I hope so’-Dean What does that mean?’
Completely fake names as US marshals
Croatoan on post before they start working case
No cell signal, payphone not working…
Dean smoothly gets Sarge’s confidence
Dean to Sarge: ‘You have a neighbor named Mr. Rogers?’-Marine: ‘Not anymore’
Dad’s journal says ‘Croatan’ is name of plague demon
Dean confirms with Sam the mom is ‘one of ‘em’ and then shoots her in cold blood. Wow
Boys know how to make explosives
Argue over killing Dwayne-Sam: ‘We’re supposed to struggle with this’-Dean is all set to do it, then doesn’t-when Sam asks why he didn’t Dean doesn’t answer (They could have just waited the 3 hrs to see if he turned like the others…)
The scene where Sam is infected and Dean won’t let Sarge kill him is so hard to watch-one of most heartrending scenes of show
Sam: ‘You can keep going’-Dean: ‘Who says I want to?’
When doctor comes back to tell them everyone has vanished they let Sam come out with them even though he is still presumed infected
Doctor says it’s been 5 hours and Sam is still clear
Poor Sarge, not fair he gets killed at end
After it’s over Sam presses Dean for what he meant about being tired of the job-Dean deflects, then asks why they have to be responsible for everything…wants to go to the Grand Canyon…finally says ‘He (Dad) told me something about you’ and then episode ends!
This is followed by a ‘Soon’ promo with scenes from next couple episodes
32. Hunted (2.10)
Gordon, a human, is actually the only ‘monster’ in this episode!
Special kid Scott is resisting YED orders
Boys’ scene starts at exact end of previous-Dad told me something…
Dean: ‘He said I might have to kill you, Sammy’
Sam takes this very badly
Dean begs for time to think
Scene cuts from Sam sneaking out of motel at night to Sam being blown up-it’s a vision but we don’t know that
Sam goes to Roadhouse-Jo is gone-Ellen says she forgave John and doesn’t hold it against the boys, but John never forgave himself
Ash finds 4 people that fit the special kids profile and that Scott was kiledl a month ago
Sam tells Ellen he is trying to find answers about who he is and Dean can’t protect him from that
Ellen tells Dean where Sam is-“They say you can’t protect your family forever…well I say screw that’
Sam has Ava talk to Scott’s shrink while he goes in through another window to get files-why not just break in the office at night?
Sam tells Ava they are going to be soldiers in a war
Smart Sam can tell type of weapon from bullets (and freaks Ava out)
After assassination attempt Sam calls Dean
Dean uses Funkytown which Sam says means someone has a gun on him
Gordon: ‘I’m a hunter and your brother’s fair game’
Gordon says the right tools can make demons talk-sadly the boys get around to that technique later
Gordon’s analogy that Sam is like baby Hitler, should be put down before causing evil-‘John would have the stones to do it’
When explosion goes off Dean screams son of a bitch through the gag
Sam calls the cops on Gordon before he unties Dean apparently, but it’s still a close call getting away
Dean says screw the job, he doesn’t believe in destiny-Sam: I ran all the way to California…you can’t protect me’-Dean: ‘I can try’-Sam: ‘Thanks for that’
Bitch/jerk exchange
33. Playthings (2.11)
Recap about Ava
Dollhouse set-wow!
Guy whose head is 180 degrees is still moving his mouth-ew!
They’ve been looking for Ava for a month-Sam finds case, not giving up on her but he’s ‘got to save as many people as he can’-fear of turning evil is really weighing on him and he doesn’t trust Dean to prevent it
Dean arriving at hotel says maybe they’ll run into Fred and Daphne inside
Mistaken for couple again-Dean: ‘Why do people assume we’re gay?’
‘What the…’-audience knows next word LOL
Dean throws Sam under bus with story of his doll collection but Sam goes with it for sake of the case, giving Dean dirty look
Sam gets drunk when guy dies in hotel because he couldn’t save him
Sam: ‘The more people I save, the more I can change…my destiny’
When Sam insists Dean has to follow Dad’s orders to kill him: ‘Dad’s an ass…you don’t lay that kind of crap on your kids’-first verbal acknowledgement that Dean is starting to think his dad wasn’t all-perfect
We see quincunx in photo and then flash to quincunx in vases-audience memory that short?
Why would they put sick grandma on the third floor all alone???
That is really tough glass on the pool building doors…
Slow motion when Sam jumps into pool, gets Tyler very dramatically effective
Dean upset Sam remembers he promised to kill Sam
Episode ends with ‘happy’ scene of grandma’s young ghost playing with sister-odd
Noticing that Dean is being written cruder to outsiders and picking on Sam more
34. Nightshifter (2.12)
Recap-shapeshifter, then immediate cut to news broadcast about bank scene, Dean releasing hostage
One day ago-Dean hitting on clerk, she flirts back
Say ‘freaking cops’ in sync
Dean admires Ronald’s chutzpah right away, Sam finds him over-the-top and doesn’t like how close he is to truth
Sam says Ronald needs to stay in the dark and stay alive
Wear security company uniforms into bank
Dean zooms camera on woman’s rear in writer’s continuing efforts to make him sleazy
Daylight when Ronald comes into bank, suddenly it’s dark?
Dean improvises, simultaneously freaking out and staying calm-give him a moment to think
Slow motion camera work again
Ronald tells cop on phone he’s working alone, so when sniper shoots him why don’t the cops storm building assuming it’s over? Who authorized that sniper anyway? Cop in charge seemed willing to negotiate
Henrickson comes in halfway through episode
His first words make you think he might be there to help them: ‘There is a monster in that bank’
They put people in vault and spin lock, then open it and close it repeatedly-how do they know the combination? I don’t think bank vaults work like that…
Shapeshifter’s ploy to be dead double of girl doesn’t make sense…
Episode gets really tense when SWAT team enters bank!
Super Sam takes out 2 SWAT team guys (we don’t see how, but go Sam!)
I remember my reaction to this the first time was how screwed they were…
35. Houses of the Holy (2.13)
There is no THEN
Dean with the magic fingers…
Dean files angels under ‘bullcrap’-we know what word he really used…
Sam suggests they ditch the car which goes over well
They have gotten a radio that picks up cop reports
When Sam tries to open window with knife-this is scene on gag reel
Sam desperately wants to be ‘saved’
Smart Sam figures out computer passwords again
First reference to Archangel Michael-in painting, priest says angels are warriors
Sam says he prays every day
Dean: ‘Mom had faith…said angels were watching over us’-not true, it’s just chaos and violence
Séance ritual is in Dad’s journal
Dean needs to protect Sam from killing bad guy
Ghost: ‘Some people need redemption, don’t they, Sam’ ouch
The priest talks the spirit down
First time we see Dean pull flask from his pocket to take a drink-happens twice
Sam wanted to believe he could escape his destiny-Dean says he will protect him-Sam: ‘You’re just one person, Dean’
‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’ on soundtrack fits nicely
Dean is really shook up by the way the bad guy died
36. Born Under a Bad Sign (2.13)
Recap-Meg, Sam’s powers, Sam going darkside worries
Lots of fast cuts at start
Watching this episode knowing Sam is possessed makes it a very different experience-looking for clues instead of freaking about Sam maybe turning dark
Sam about bloody knife: ‘You think I used this on someone’-Dean: ‘I’m not thinking anything’
Dean: ‘…smoking, throwing bottles sounds more like me than you’-So did Dean ever smoke?
Dean assumes the man Sam killed had to be a bad guy-he is desperately looking for justification for Sam’s actions
When Dean sees Sam do the murder on the video he doesn’t know how to react-then jumps into protect Sam no matter what mode and starts clean-up
Dean: ‘It wasn’t you’
When Sam tries to get Dean to kill him Dean won’t do it
Dean tracks Sam by getting cellphone company to turn on Sam’s GPS
Ellen may have forgiven John and boys, Jo hasn’t
Jo notices mark on Sam’s arm
Tied-up Jo says ‘You’re not Sam’
Sam explains John and Bill Harvelle went to Devil’s Gate Reservoir in California, Bill was bait, John moved too soon, Bill was holding his guts in his hands and John killed him for mercy-‘My daddy shot your daddy in the head’
Dean throws holy water when Sam threatens Jo and begs to be killed-‘just knew it couldn’t be him’
Smart Bobby has Sam drink holy water
First time we hear Exorcisamus te exorcism (from Bobby)
Meg: ‘I don’t give a rat’s ass about the master plan’
Meg has a counter-exorcism to break loose
Bobby warns them about hunters looking for Wandell’s killer without actually confirming Sam did it
Dean desperately trying to pull Sam out of his funk by joking that Sam had a girl inside him
37. Tall Tales (2.15)
Recap-prank wars
Baby Richard Speight!
Boys bickering, flashbacks when explaining to Bobby
Purple nurples
They are wearing some kind of uniform jackets
Sam references Dean watching Busty Asian Beauties website
Bobby: ‘You’re exaggerating again?’-In sync: ‘No’
Dean points out all the victims are dicks
Smart Sam can identify alligator scales?
Sam has silver money clip with his initials-wonder if someone gave him that?
Boys are figuring out about Trickster, then audience shown that they are right
Fake argument in front of Trickster
Sam tosses stake to Dean for the kill
Sam apologizes for being a jerk
Tag shows Trickster is still alive
One of my least favorite episodes because of how caricatured the boys are written
There is no reference at all to the angst from previous episodes
38. Roadkill (2.16)
Recap-Bobby warns about storm coming; montage of monsters; Lenore argument
Another episode where knowing the punchline affects watching it the second time
Molly’s perspective until she stops boys on road
Molly questions if boys are like Ghostbusters-Dean: ‘Minus the jumpsuits’
Reading Greeley’s letters Molly questions how a guy like that can turn into a monster
Sam explains how spirits get trapped
Why did Sam insist they had to bury to old woman’s body???
Discussion about telling Molly about her husband is clever misdirect
Knowing Molly is a ghost in retrospect you see they never actually touch her…but she is one very corporal ghost otherwise
Flashback reveal tells the truth
Sam is the ghost whisperer
Nothing in the episode showing the angst from Sam’s possession
39. Heart (2.17)
No THEN/NOW
Woman’s harrowing walk to car-nothing happens
Slow motion effect of discovering body
Haven’t seen werewolf since they were kids (obviously didn’t get that human half doesn’t know what wolf half is doing)
Werewolf attacks happen in week leading up to full moon
Sam: ‘Check the freezer, maybe there’s some human hearts behind the Hagen-Dazs’ LOL
First ‘rock/paper/scissors’-to see who gets to stay with Madison-‘Always with the paper, Dean’
Dean really obnoxious about pushing Sam to make a move on Madison
Good explanation of why intelligent woman like Madison stayed with Kurt
Madison is so awesome
Dean horn-dogging it up at strip bar
Total misdirect about monster until Dean sees Madison over Kurt’s body-we get another ‘what the…’-fill in the blank
Madison is so believably freaked out at accusation
Dean is all for killing her: ‘Sam, she’s a monster, and you’re feeling sorry for her?’-Sam: Maybe I understand her.’
Use Dad’s theory about killing the progenitor
Both stay awake with Madison all night and decide she’s cured
Sam and Madison scene…
Sam wakes up alone-explanation that maybe she has to be asleep to turn
Sam: ‘Me you won’t kill but her you’re just gonna blow away?’
Madison to Sam: ‘This is the way you can save me’-excruciating parallel to Sam’s pleas to Dean…
Scene where Madison asks Sam to kill her and when Dean and Sam talk it over hurts to watch
The hurt shared by the 2 of them, especially Dean’s for Sam having to do it-his flinch at sound of bullet
40. Hollywood Babylon (2.18)
No recap
Gilmore Girls joke
Sam: ‘The weather (in California) is practically Canadian’ LOL
Dean knows his movie stuff
Dean pigging out on food again
Dean is uncharacteristically shy meeting Tara Benchley
Movie Buff Dean knows all the actor’s bit parts
So many funny lines!
Dean is collecting clues while rocking the PA job
Mid-episode we get movie preview for ‘Hellrazers 2’ which includes reference to a ‘Monster Truck’ movie with a clip of the truck from ‘Route 666’
Sam asks how Walter know about Enochian summoning ritual
Sam uses his cell phone to find the ghosts, then he and Dean just watch as ghosts kill Walter instead of trying to stop them which felt off
Loved all the in-jokes in this episode
41. Folsom Prison Blue (2.19)
Recap-Henrickson, Dean’s crimes
‘3 months later’ after murder in teaser
Nice shot of cell doors shutting in opposite directions
Deacon saved Dad’s life in the Corps, Dean feels obligation to help him
More joking about Dean liking the prison food
Their lawyer cites conflicting reports (in a positive way) from cop in Baltimore and witness in Milwaukee
Inmate asks Sam: ‘Why are you inside?’ Sam: ‘I have an idiot for a brother’
Dean makes more movie references
Dean pulls out all his sincerity to get lawyer to find ghost info
Henrickson is a jerk to lawyer
Remember watching originally and being tied in knots as Henrickson’s men reach the cemetery-ghost almost getting Deacon adds to viewer stress
Knowing they make it mutes the tension but still a favorite episode
42. What is and what Should Never Be (2.20)
Recap-Saving people, hunting things-people they save, Jess
Baby has new license plate CNK 80Q3
When Dean has no idea what’s going on he instinctively plays along with Carmen
Dean’s test question for Mom-what did she say when putting him to bed? Mom: ‘Angels were watching over you’
Dean is so out of his element at getting a normal life
He looks like a lost little boy when interacting with his mom
Sees college professor to get djinn info-working the case while absorbing this life
Dean upon no weapons in Baby’s trunk: ‘We’re civilians!’…and then he sees girl
Sam accuses Dean of hooking up with Rachel Nave, Sam’s prom date-Dean: ‘It does sound like me’
This life isn’t perfect because of distance between him and Sam-but he says he can fix things with Sam
Thundercats on TV
John’s grave scene when Dean sees that the people they saved weren’t saved here: ‘Why is it my job?...Why do we have to sacrifice everything, Dad?’ Oh my heart…
Duplicate of pilot scene with Sam and Jess in bed and then abbreviated fight with duplicate visual of Dean on top of Sam, then profiles in the darkness-‘What are you doing here?’ ‘I was looking for a beer’
Dean spins story that he knows is in keeping with this Sam’s perception of him-owing a bookie
Dean: ‘I wish to hell I could stay and fix it (him and Sam)’
Sam joins him even though he thinks Dean has lost it: ‘You’re still my brother’
Dean says ‘Bitch’ and Sam is confused instead of answering ‘jerk’
Baby’s license plate in djinn world is RMD 5H2
Dean is not wearing the amulet in this world
Mom shows up in pilot nightgown at the warehouse
Dean’s face is so sad: ‘You’re not real’
Mom puts her hand on Dean’s cheek and he leans into it
Close-up of djinn Sam transitions to real Sam
Dean never allowed himself to dream of a normal life-getting it and losing it guts him
The only small consolation is Dean saved the girl
Dean is so shook up he tells Sam about the fantasy world instead of keeping it a secret like he normally would
Sam: ‘Most people wouldn’t have had your strength, would’ve just stayed’-Dean: ‘Lucky me’
In commentary Kripke said he wanted to show without hunting Dean had no purpose
43. All Hell Breaks Loose Part 1 (2.21)
Road so Far shows special kids (music: ‘Foreplay/Long Time’ by Boston)
Crap, Dean is wearing the red plaid shirt of angst…
First time we get Dean yelling ‘Sam’ in panic
Sam is natural leader
Ash calls Dean to come to Roadhouse for major info-when he and Bobby get there it is burned down
Jake is a good guy
Altered perception of Ava knowing she is the bad guy-she is very convincing!
YED mentions other generations of special kids have been created
YED to Sam: ‘It’s always been about you’
Sam realizes Mom knew the YED
Sam puts down his knife in show of faith to Jake-Jake uses it in a couple minutes to kill him
Awesome fight between Sam and Jake
Don’t turn your back Sammy!!!
Nooo!
44. All Hell Breaks Loose Part 2 (2.22)
Road so Far with ‘Carry On’ includes crossroads
Bobby suggests burying Sam, not burning him-odd
Bobby tries to get Dean back in the game-Dean: ‘Let it (the world) end!’
Jake initially resists YED until his family is threatened
Dean: ‘I had one job and I blew it’-oh Dean…
Would like to punch the smug crossroads demon in the face…
First boys’ hug
Sam doesn’t tell Dean about having demon blood dripped in his mouth-start of another secret
Dean’s life wouldn’t mean anything without Sam
Dean sees his deal as restoring what should have happened-he should have died in the car accident
Jake has gone all-in with YED bribes
YED: ‘Are you sure what you brought back is 100% Sam?’-start of new round of Dean angst
Sam: ‘Did you sell your soul for me like Dad did for you?’-Dean: ‘Oh come on, no’-Sam: ‘Tell me the truth…’-Dean: ‘Sam…’-Sam: ‘How long did you get?’
End scene mirrors end of pilot-boys throwing weapons into trunk: ‘We got work to do’